Valentine + Birthday = Chocolate

Chocoholic

Kathy made the most incredible brownies and gave me a few the other night.
They were so choco-wonderful, I  ate one and froze three of them so I wouldn't spend the rest of the evening in an embarrassing tumble down addict hill.  What a fabulous recipe :D
Visit Ghirardelli's website  above ( at chocoholic) for even more inspiration!

Ghirardelli Peppermint Brownies

Makes 16 brownies-Prep time: 15 minutes- Cook Time: 45 minutes

Cooking spray                                                                                                          Heat oven to 350. Spray 9-in-square baking pan with cooking spray; dust with flour, tapping out 
flour for dusting                                                                                                         excess. In double boiler over hot water, melt chocolate and butter. Cool to room temperature.
1 bar (4 oz) 100% Cacao Unsweetened Baking Bar                                                      In large bowl with electric mixer or whisk, beat eggs, sugar, vanilla, peppermint extract and 
16 tablespoons (2 sticks) unsalted butter                                                                     salt until combined. Beat in chocolate mixture; gently stir in flour. Pour batter into prepared
3 eggs                                                                                                                      pan. Bake about 45 minutes or until knife inserted into brownies comes out clean.
2 cups sugar                                                                                                              Arrange mint squares on top in one layer; place brownies in oven 1 minute. Spread melted
1 teaspoon vanilla extract                                                                                            mint squares with spatula to frost brownies evenly; sprinkle with crushed candy canes.
1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract                                                                                  Cool completely; cut into 16 squares. Enjoy!!
1/4 teaspoon salt                                                                                                        
1 cup flour
10 Ghirardelli Dark Chocolate with White Mint Filling Squares
4 small candy canes, crushed (about 1/4 cup)